four person tandem bike in amsterdam



four person tandem in amsterdam, originally uploaded by henry in a’dam.

I can’t believe I’ve never come across this quadruple tandem before. I was parked on the Keizersgracht in the center of Amsterdam and looks as if it’s been there for years.

It’s a sweet bike too: a Gazelle, probably built in the 1950’s or 60’s mostly from bakfiets and transportfiets parts. A few cool details:

  • all lugged frame construction

  • three eccentric bottom bracket shells of varying sizes to tension the chains

  • bakfiets rear drum brake operated by the last rider

  • motorcycle front drum brake

    • It’s also really heavy. I tried to set it more upright for the photo but realized that would have required a helper.

    This entry was posted on Sunday, May 17th, 2009 at 22:28 and is filed under Antique/old bikes and history, Cool & Interesting bikes, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

    4 Responses to “four person tandem bike in amsterdam”

    1. John, Says:
      May 18th, 2009 at 00:33

      Hello Henry,It looks like the front Light is Knackered and a Puncture on the back Wheel.

      You would have to be like an Ant on that Bike ,everyone Cycling in Unison and the Person in the Front Steering Telling the Person at the back to Brake. What happens if the Person n the midle stops Pedaling ,they all fall off.

      It looks like it has only one Handlebar on the front, Great Bike

    2. henry Says:
      May 18th, 2009 at 06:42

      John,
      Aside from the tires having gone soft and some other little things from neglect the tandem seemed to be in good working order.

      A four person tandem is never a “serious” vehicle so I suppose those logistical challenges you point out are just part of the fun.

    3. Christa Says:
      May 19th, 2009 at 01:03

      That’s awesome! I’d love to see some people using it. 😉

    4. Amoeba Says:
      December 7th, 2010 at 20:15

      Henry,
      Here is an interesting quintuplet for your perusal.

      https://www.rijwiel.net/dewilden.htm

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